Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Elsie is a Scottish diminutive of Elizabeth, which has Hebrew roots meaning 'God is my oath'. It has evolved through various forms and has gained popularity since the late 19th century, associated with vintage charm. There is no significant biblical relevance, and it is well-received in contemporary society.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛl.si/
Origin
Scottish
Etymology
Elsie is derived from the Scottish diminutive of 'Elizabeth', which comes from the Hebrew name Elisheba meaning 'God is my oath'.
Meaning
God is my oath
Language Evolution
Elizabeth, Elsa, Elsie
Historical Usage
Elsie gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries, influenced by literature and popular culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Elsa, Eliza, Lizzie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Elsie is often perceived as a charming and vintage name, enjoying a resurgence in popularity due to its nostalgic appeal.
Famous People
Elsie de Wolfe, Elsie Fisher, Elsie Maynard
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,221 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (9 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 9 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1332nd of 7545 | 474 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1954th of 6773 | 257 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5151st of 7552 | 30 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 49th of 9107 | 91,079 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 128th of 9204 | 36,642 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 389th of 12526 | 10,534 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 883rd of 19264 | 2,428 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1232nd of 27321 | 2,072 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 833rd of 35406 | 4,901 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 254th of 30306 | 15,095 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
66.48% 1573rd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
85.68% 2016th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
3.95% 56th/1416 |
3.84% 53rd/1379 |
2.37% 56th/2366 |
3.68% 42nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
8.47% 131st/1546 |
7.84% 122nd/1556 |
4.59% 108th/2353 |
7.56% 117th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
22.32% 497th/2227 |
14.28% 347th/2430 |
11.50% 328th/2853 |
15.03% 417th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
34.53% 1014th/2937 |
18.72% 652nd/3483 |
27.80% 978th/3518 |
25.54% 1033rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
35.33% 1302nd/3685 |
20.31% 909th/4475 |
35.48% 1843rd/5194 |
17.97% 1135th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
13.14% 602nd/4582 |
16.27% 840th/5164 |
18.77% 1373rd/7313 |
9.37% 699th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
3.56% 142nd/3984 |
7.29% 327th/4487 |
5.54% 378th/6822 |
3.63% 228th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in North Dakota across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1332nd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1954th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5151st out of 7552 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 49th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 128th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 389th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 883rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1232nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 833rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 254th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
